There was a mild drama on Thursday as senators debated the recommendations of the new version of a gender equality bill presented by the member representing Ekiti-South Senatorial District, Senator Abiodun Olujimi, where female senators urged their male counterparts to support the bill this time.
The Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, while speaking on the bill said that Section 4 of the bill be expunged, as it could clash with Section 42(1)(b) of the Constitution.
Ekweremadu said, “By way of direction, I will like to suggest that when this bill goes to the committee, we need to do proper interrogation to be sure that it is not in conflict with some of our existing legislations.
“I think the greatest problem I can see clearly now is the area of discrimination regarding Section 4 of the bill, which has made provision for specific percentage of women in employment and opportunities and also in political appointments.
“For me, these are the problems. If we place 35 per cent, for instance, for women (as affirmative action), that is discriminatory in a way and contrary to the provisions of Section 42 (1)(b).
“I think what we need to do is to look at the bill itself and make sure that such conflicts are eliminated at the time it is being processed by the committee, so that we will be able to leave the best of the bill that is consistent with our legislation.”
The Senate Whip, Prof. Olusola Adeyeye, disagreed with Ekweremadu, saying, “With all due respect to our Deputy Senate President, I totally disagree with his submission on the conflict with the Constitution. Ekweremadu is a lawyer and I am not, but the words are written in clear and simple English.”
Ekweremadu then interrupted him, saying, “Read it out!”
Adeyeye replied, “When you were talking, I did not interrupt you. It is not against our Constitution to allow women have 35 per cent affirmative action. We have the Federal Character. We should also have Gender Character.'”
Adeyeye said he was backing the bill on behalf of his two daughters, wife and mother, saying, “The worst form of discrimination is gender-based discrimination.”
Senator Oluremi Tinubu (Lagos-Central) stated that parts of the Constitution in conflict with the bill should be amended “to accommodate women.”
The bill was passed on to the committee stage.
The Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, while speaking on the bill said that Section 4 of the bill be expunged, as it could clash with Section 42(1)(b) of the Constitution.
Ekweremadu said, “By way of direction, I will like to suggest that when this bill goes to the committee, we need to do proper interrogation to be sure that it is not in conflict with some of our existing legislations.
“I think the greatest problem I can see clearly now is the area of discrimination regarding Section 4 of the bill, which has made provision for specific percentage of women in employment and opportunities and also in political appointments.
“For me, these are the problems. If we place 35 per cent, for instance, for women (as affirmative action), that is discriminatory in a way and contrary to the provisions of Section 42 (1)(b).
“I think what we need to do is to look at the bill itself and make sure that such conflicts are eliminated at the time it is being processed by the committee, so that we will be able to leave the best of the bill that is consistent with our legislation.”
The Senate Whip, Prof. Olusola Adeyeye, disagreed with Ekweremadu, saying, “With all due respect to our Deputy Senate President, I totally disagree with his submission on the conflict with the Constitution. Ekweremadu is a lawyer and I am not, but the words are written in clear and simple English.”
Ekweremadu then interrupted him, saying, “Read it out!”
Adeyeye replied, “When you were talking, I did not interrupt you. It is not against our Constitution to allow women have 35 per cent affirmative action. We have the Federal Character. We should also have Gender Character.'”
Adeyeye said he was backing the bill on behalf of his two daughters, wife and mother, saying, “The worst form of discrimination is gender-based discrimination.”
Senator Oluremi Tinubu (Lagos-Central) stated that parts of the Constitution in conflict with the bill should be amended “to accommodate women.”
The bill was passed on to the committee stage.
